Breast Revision in Orange County, California

When breast implants no longer suit your body or your goals, a customized breast revision can restore confidence, comfort, and harmony. Whether correcting changes that occur over time or refining results that never felt quite right, thousands of women choose secondary breast augmentation to feel like themselves again. From reclaiming a natural look to resolving discomfort, breast revision empowers patients with renewed self-assurance and freedom in their daily lives.

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your first breast surgery or have experienced changes over time, please get in touch with South Coast Plastic Surgery to set up a consultation. Dr. Song or Dr. Benyamein will work closely with you to develop a revision plan that delivers your desired look and feel. We are proud to be able to resolve even the most complex problems from a primary augmentation.

• Restore Natural AppearanceExchange or remove implants to achieve breasts that look and feel authentic to you. Many women regain confidence wearing fitted tops and swimwear.
• Correct ComplicationsAddress capsular contracture, asymmetry, rippling, or implant displacement to relieve discomfort and improve symmetry.
• Update Size or ShapeRefine volume—bigger, smaller, or differently contoured—to match your current lifestyle or aesthetic preferences.
• Improve Implant LongevityReplace aging implants with modern, highly cohesive devices that offer improved safety and durability.
• Combine With Breast LiftElevate and tighten breast tissue when needed, creating a youthful silhouette in one comprehensive procedure.
• Boost Emotional Well-BeingFeel at ease in social and intimate settings by resolving lingering dissatisfaction from a prior surgery.

Tailored correction of unwanted changes

Opportunity to upgrade implant technology

Combines functional relief with aesthetic refinement

Performed by revision specialists for optimal safety

Ideal candidates are healthy women who are unhappy with their current implants or have developed complications. A consultation will determine whether implant exchange, removal, or additional lifting is recommended.

• Dissatisfaction with current size or shape
• Capsular contracture or firmness
• Implant rippling or visibility
• Implant displacement or malposition
• Asymmetry that has developed over time
• Pain, discomfort, or posture issues
• Desire to remove implants entirely
• Realistic expectations for outcomes
• Non-smoking or willing to stop prior to surgery

Comprehensive Consultation & Assessment

Your journey begins with a thorough consultation and review of your surgical history. Imaging or operative records may be reviewed when available. A personalized plan is created to correct the underlying issue—whether that involves implant exchange, capsule adjustment, repositioning, or implant removal.

In some cases, breast revision is combined with a breast lift to restore shape and symmetry after implants are corrected or removed.

The Breast Revision Procedure

The complexity of implant revision surgery varies from patient to patient, according to the reasons for pursuing the procedure. Some patients will require more complicated techniques, as in the case of capsular contracture or repositioning the implants from sub-glandular to sub-pectoral. A breast lift may also be performed in tandem with implant revision to achieve a balanced and aesthetically pleasing final result.

Surgery is performed under light general anesthesia. Whenever possible, our team will aim to reuse previous incisions so as not to create any new scarring. This helps to minimize recovery time as well and helps preserve sensation in the nipples.

Your procedure will include the following:

• Exchanging the implants for a new type, size, or shape
• Adding saline to mitigate rippling
• Adjusting the implant capsule to address implant placement issues

Breast implant revision typically takes 2-4 hours to complete. This is near twice the time needed for the original augmentation surgery since revisions are more technically challenging for the surgeon. However, revision augmentation usually comes with less recovery time and is associated with less pain than the first surgery since no new pocket needs to be created from scratch.

Breast Revision Recovery Timeline

Recovery varies depending on the extent of correction performed.

Immediately after surgery

• Swelling, bruising, and chest tightness are common
• Discomfort is typically less than the initial augmentation
• A supportive surgical bra is worn

First week

• Most patients return to work and light daily activities
• Swelling and soreness gradually improve

Weeks 2–4

• Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting are restricted
• Gradual return to normal activity once cleared

Some revisions—such as implant repositioning—may require slightly longer recovery, but overall downtime is often shorter than the first surgery.

Breast Revision Results

Results are noticeable early, though final outcomes continue to refine as swelling resolves and tissues settle. The goal of revision surgery is correction—addressing the underlying problem while restoring balance, comfort, and a natural appearance.

Plastic surgeons in the U.S. now have four main choices of manufacturers of silicone and saline breast implants with FDA approval. At South Coast Plastic Surgery we offer: Motiva, Sientra, Allergan, and Mentor, providing you with the broadest range of high-quality options to achieve your ideal outcome.

Motiva® Round and Ergonomix® implants are now FDA-approved for augmentation (primary and revision). These implants feature the patented SmoothSilk® surface designed to enhance biocompatibility and lower inflammation. They also include an ergonomic gel shell that helps the implant adapt to body position. Clinical trial data show very low complication rates: e.g., less than 1% for capsular contracture or rupture.

At South Coast Plastic Surgery, we now recommend Motiva as our first line option for patients seeking advanced silicone gel implants with the latest safety and ergonomic design.

Sientra silicone gel breast implants are available only to board-certified plastic surgeons and are not available to MD’s who have not gone through the rigorous training to achieve board-certification. Sientra implants are produced with the latest in silicone gel technology, creating an implant that is formable.

These implants have the advantage of retaining their shape whether you are standing up or lying down, which prevents them from rippling or folding in their shells. Sientra implants have an extremely low rupture rate, which reduces the risk of the need for a secondary surgery due to a ruptured implant.

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We also offer Mentor cohesive gel implants, known for their natural feel and proven safety record. Mentor implants provide excellent shape retention and are a popular choice among patients seeking balanced, natural-looking results.

Allergan semi-solid implants offer another premium option, providing a soft, natural feel with excellent durability. These implants are designed to maintain their shape while moving naturally with your body.

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For women younger than 22 years of age, saline implants are the only commercially available option for cosmetic breast augmentation. Some women opt for saline because they are more comfortable with the idea of an implant made with a saltwater solution. Saline implants are not filled until after insertion, so the incisions can be slightly smaller than those needed when placing silicone implants.

What’s right for you?

The majority of women prefer silicone implants as they tend to produce a more natural look and feel. Today’s silicone gel is semi-firm to the touch yet is still malleable and pliant, and closely mimics the bounce and feel of natural breast tissue.

In breast augmentation, the shape of the implant plays a key role in determining your final breast appearance.

‍Teardrop-Shaped Implants

‍Anatomical implants are shaped like a natural breast, with more volume concentrated at the bottom and tapering off toward the top. These teardrop-shaped implants are more popular for women with little natural breast tissue in performing breast reconstruction surgery. Anatomical implants are also the most common implant shape of choice for older women, as the graduated shape more closely resembles the natural appearance of a breast at that stage of life.

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Round Breast Implants

Round implants provide volume throughout the breast, including the upper portion of the breast. While some women seek this aesthetic, as it gives a full, high look, others believe that this upper volume makes the implants look too unnatural.

During your consultation, Dr. Song or Dr. Benyamein will help you determine which implant shape best suits your anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Breast revision surgery addresses both cosmetic and medical concerns. Understanding how technique, healing, and prior surgery affect outcomes can help set realistic expectations.

Achieving Natural-Looking Results

Natural-looking breast revision results depend on accurately identifying the cause of the issue and choosing the appropriate corrective technique. Revision may involve changing implant type or size, correcting implant position, softening hardened scar tissue, or reshaping the breast with or without a lift.

At South Coast Plastic Surgery, revision planning focuses on restoring proportion and symmetry while preserving breast tissue and sensation whenever possible. When performed thoughtfully, breast revision can significantly improve comfort and appearance without drawing attention to prior surgery.

Is Scarring a Concern?

One advantage of breast revision surgery is that existing incisions can often be reused. This helps:

• Avoid creating new scars
• Limit additional tissue disruption
• Support preservation of nipple sensation

If new incisions are required, they are planned carefully to follow natural contours and minimize visibility.

Scar Healing Timeline

Scar healing usually follows a gradual progression:

• Weeks 1–2: Redness and mild firmness
• Months 1–3: Softening and flattening
• 6–12 months: Continued fading and refinement

Proper scar care and follow-up support optimal healing.

Breast revision surgery is safe when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon, but it carries risks due to the presence of implants and scar tissue.

Potential risks include:

• Infection or bleeding
• Capsular contracture recurrence
• Implant rupture or malposition
• Changes in breast or nipple sensation
• Asymmetry or need for further revision

Risks vary depending on the reason for revision and surgical complexity.

Reducing your risk:

Risk reduction is supported by:

• Thorough evaluation of prior surgery and implant history
• Careful surgical planning and technique
• Reuse of prior incisions when possible
• Surgery performed in an accredited facility
• Clear recovery guidelines and follow-up care

With proper planning and experienced care, most patients experience meaningful improvement and long-term satisfaction after breast revision.